Propagate Herbs
Many herbs can be raised from cuttings, division, layering or seed although small plants are available very cheaply.
If you want to grow your own, here's how -
Seed -
Many herbs such as parsley or basil are easily raised from seed. Sow 3 seeds in a 7.5cm pot full of multipurpose compost. Sow in spring & place on a light windowsill. Buy Herb Seeds
Division -
Clump forming herbs such as chives, lemon balm and thyme, can be lifted & divided in spring. For mint, simply pot up rooted runners off the main plant.
Cuttings -
Take cuttings of bushy perennial herbs such as rosemary, sage & thyme from late spring to early autumn. Cut off a 7cm shoot, strip off leaves from the lower half of each cutting and push 3 cuttings around the edge of a pot of compost. Water in, Cover with polythene and put on a windowsill.
Layering -
A few shrubby herbs such as thyme, rosemary & sage can be propagated without any equipment. In summer lay a shoot down onto soil that has been improved with compost, holding it down with a stone. In autumn it will have rooted naturally and can now be separated from the parent plant.
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